Everything's Beachy

The wind persisted Sunday and Monday but that didn't keep the more 'adventurous' out of the water. Our friends, Pat, Lynn, and Ben Huyck, arrived last night from Tampa, Florida to spend a week here also. Today (Tuesday) was picture day. We all donned our tie-dye shirts and took some very colorful pictures. Then we headed to Lamberts Restaurant, 'Home of The Throwed Roll'. If you've never been to one, don't pass it by if you see one. The southern food is plentiful and they really do throw the roll at you, and they keep on throwing until you catch one. We have a whole lotta fun there!


Derrick, John, and Jonathan


This also is tradition--That's Amy going down after splashing Steve :~)


Jacob and Lexie


Lizzy showing here mamma, Melanie, a clam.


Benjamin being a good big brother to Michael.


Little Miss Sarah


Maggie


All the girls stay in our condo...and there's a t.v. in every bedroom. Neither the Christensens or us Isbells have had television for a long time. Can you guess what they're doing here :~?


Danielle and Sarah playing cards before bedtime.


Two against one...I wonder who won? Maggie, Lexie, and Aaron.


All the kids at Souvenir City.


Pat, Lynn, and Ben


Imagine 34 people in tie-dye shirts. That was all of us on the beach this morning for picture day. Amy was the 'master-mind' of the colorful shirts.


Steve and I are celebrating our 23rd anniversary while we're here in Gulf Shores!


Andy and Amy


Maggie


Grace


Sarah


MissiMo


John


The Whole Colorful Group!

LIFE'S A BEACH!

We dodged the bad weather by heading to Gulf Shores late Friday and arriving at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The condo was ready early (thanks God) so we got to spend the night and have an extra day here! The wind's been strong but that hasn't slowed down our enjoyment of the beach. The oil hasn't arrived here yet but is expected some time this week. Sarah and her new best friend, Danielle. Amy, Andy, and Michael. We told them not to get their clothes wet..ha..ha..ha Benjamin, Amy, and Derrick. A momentary captive. Last time Sarah was at a 'warm' beach (Alaska doesn't count but Liberia does) she was afraid and hated the water. She loves it now! Time to get the swim suits. John trying out the skim board. This is what they're looking at..a collection of little clams. Benjamin making his own kind of sand castle.

Torture equals--bury Sarah in the sand, make a big belly button, put a crab in it. This was funny until the crab climbed out and headed towards Sarah's face. Don't remember who saved her. Grace trying out the skim board and doing pretty good.



This is my friend, Carolyn. We got to help celebrate her birthday last night. Did I mention that we are in a group of 31 people, old friends and new, staying in three large condos and having a blast?!! More to come.........

Sheep and Politics

Andy and Amy raise Baby Doll sheep...they always look like they're smiling and are very friendly.


One of today's homeschool lessons...sheep shearing! The kids all do chores together every morning taking care of the sheep, horses, chickens, cats, and dog. They are up early each morning and outside doing chores, happily I might add. It's fun to look out the window and see them working together and having fun.


The girls found these lizards and turned the garage sink into their (temporary:~) home.


We all went to a local restaurant this evening to support Amy's dad, Mark Pody, who is the Republican candidate for the 46th district of Tennessee. It was a good learning experience for the kids and nice to support Mark, whom we've known for a long time. He'd get our vote if we lived here.


Making a new garden, Andy style.


Michael loved helping his Daddy with the garden. I couldn't help but think how much fun Forest, Joseph, and Carter would have riding in this machine.

A Southern Spring

"...behold, the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance."
Song of Solomon 2:11-13

We are enjoying Spring in Tennessee. We're making great memories with new friends and old friends. The Christensen's hospitality is beyond belief...We school, eat, play, worship, work, and bless together (we've had a lot of practice doing this over the years of our friendship). Here are some pictures of what we've been doing down here in Tennessee...


What two homeschool families do when a chicken accidentally gets shut in a door--you clean it, study it's anatomy, and make chicken soup out of it!




We've all been having a great time helping out at the Winter's horse farm. To say it's a beautiful place doesn't begin to do it justice and Adrian and Patric far outshine their farm. We look forward to spending more time there. The kids all worked together (with Adrian's guidance) to weed the 'English Garden' above.


Wisteria blooming on the pergola...it smells heavenly!


John loves this job.


John and Derrick get to help Adrian keep the yard beautiful.


Wonder and Twister in one of the pastures. All the kids love helping take care of the horses. Mostly we love helping Patric and Adrian who are simply amazing.


A little work...a little play...


...picnics on the lawn...


Adrian and Patric!


Watching the farrier in the horse barn.


The kids are loving all the things they're learning at the Winter's...such as this example of a foundered hoof and a healthy hoof.


The Christensen's horse, Dee-Lux, waiting her turn for the ferrier. Maggie made her a dandelion necklace.


Patric is an amazing cook and has been sharing her skills with the kids. And we get to do the eating!



He who calmed the seas does that to the soul.


Back 'home' at the Christensen's...Andy and Steve have been working on a back deck that connects the wrap around porch on the front and side of the house to the grilling porch in the back of the house. It's turning out great.


Andy leading Alexis on their new horse, Hershey.


Sarah got a ride on Dee-Lux.


Amy and Michael

"And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks
to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17

AND BEFORE WE GOT HERE....


We arrived at Gabe and Missy's after the first leg of our trip down from northern Minnesota. We spent a beautiful evening outside watching the kids play, eating a wonderful meal, and enjoying family...


Forest


Willow wearing Grandpa's hat.


Gabe grilling supper.


Sarah


Sring time in Iowa


Forest tells us the Easter story before bedtime.

Gabe, Missy, Forest, and Willow saw us off to Tennessee early the next morning. They, once again, are keeping our pets...thank you so much!!!!

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23